JP7407234B2 - battery module - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a battery module.

In recent years, nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, particularly lithium ion secondary batteries, have been developed. In lithium ion secondary batteries, a battery module may be configured by a plurality of stacked battery cells. Each battery cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an exterior material. The positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator constitute a laminate, and are stacked such that adjacent positive electrodes and negative electrodes are separated from each other by the separator. The laminate is wrapped with an exterior material.

Patent Document 1 describes an example of a battery module. In this battery module, a tab protrudes from each of the plurality of positive electrodes, the tabs welded to each other constitute a positive electrode lead terminal, and a tab protrudes from each of the plurality of negative electrodes, and the tabs welded to each other constitute a positive electrode lead terminal. A negative lead terminal is configured. The positive electrode lead terminal and the negative electrode lead terminal protrude from the end of the exterior material, and a buffer member is provided between the adjacent ends of the exterior material.

Patent Document 2 describes an example of a battery module. In this battery module, an insulating sheet is arranged between adjacent battery cells.

JP2013-51121A JP2003-323883A

In a battery module, a lead terminal is sometimes provided so that one end of the lead terminal faces an internal member (for example, a laminate) of a battery cell. The inventor has discovered that there is a risk that the lead terminal may pierce the internal member of the battery cell due to the impact.

An object of the present invention is to suppress the penetration of lead terminals into internal members of battery cells.

According to the invention,
A plurality of battery cells each having a plurality of first lead terminals and stacked so that the first lead terminals are lined up in one direction;
a plurality of buffer members arranged in the one direction and separating adjacent first lead terminals;
a connecting member that extends across the plurality of buffer members along the one direction and connects the plurality of buffer members to each other;
A battery module is provided.

According to the invention,
A plurality of battery cells each having a first lead terminal and stacked so that each first lead terminal is lined up in one direction;
a spacer member that separates a first group of battery cells and a second group of battery cells among the plurality of battery cells;
Equipped with
A battery module is provided in which the spacer member has a portion that protrudes further to the outside of the plurality of battery cells than any first lead terminal of the plurality of battery cells.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the lead terminal from penetrating the internal member of the battery cell.

The above-mentioned objects, and other objects, features, and advantages will become more apparent from the preferred embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the battery module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery module according to a second embodiment. 6 is a perspective view of the battery module shown in FIG. 5 when viewed from the opposite side to FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 6. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery module according to Embodiment 3. 10 is a perspective view of a spacer member used in the battery module shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line PP in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line QQ in FIG. 9. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to Embodiment 4. 14 is a transparent view of the case shown in FIG. 13. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in all the drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module 12 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. Note that the battery module 12 may be housed, for example, in a case 400 shown in FIG. 13 or FIG. 14, which will be described later. A circuit board (not shown) may also be housed within the case 400.

An overview of the battery module 12 will be explained using FIG. 2. The battery module 12 includes a plurality of battery cells 10, a plurality of buffer members 210, and a connecting member 220. Each of the plurality of battery cells 10 has a plurality of first lead terminals 114. The plurality of battery cells 10 are stacked so that each first lead terminal 114 is lined up in one direction (Z direction in the figure). The plurality of buffer members 210 are arranged in one direction (Z direction in the figure) mentioned above. The plurality of buffer members 210 separate adjacent first lead terminals 114 from each other. The connecting member 220 extends across the plurality of buffer members 210 along the above-mentioned one direction (Z direction in the figure) and connects the plurality of buffer members 210 to each other.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to suppress the first lead terminal 114 from penetrating into the internal members of the battery cell 10 (for example, the laminate 100 described later). Specifically, in the configuration described above, the connecting member 220 extends across the plurality of buffer members 210 along one direction (Z direction in the figure), and connects the plurality of buffer members 210 to each other. There is. Therefore, even if a large impact is applied to the battery module 12, as will be described later with reference to FIG. It is easy to bend along the arrangement direction (Z direction in the figure). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the first lead terminal 114 from piercing into the internal members of the battery cell 10.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the plurality of battery cells 10 has a plurality of second lead terminals 124. The second lead terminal 124 has a different polarity than the first lead terminal 114. The plurality of battery cells 10 are stacked so that each second lead terminal 124 is lined up in one direction (Z direction in the figure). The plurality of buffer members 210 are arranged in one direction (Z direction in the figure) mentioned above. The plurality of buffer members 210 separate adjacent second lead terminals 124 from each other. The connecting member 220 extends across the plurality of buffer members 210 along the above-mentioned one direction (Z direction in the figure) and connects the plurality of buffer members 210 to each other.

According to the above-described configuration, for the same reason as described above for the first lead terminal 114, it is possible to suppress the second lead terminal 124 from piercing into the internal members of the battery cell 10 (for example, the laminate 100 described later). .

Details of the battery module 12 will be explained using FIGS. 1 to 3.

The battery module 12 includes a plurality of battery cells 10, a plurality of buffer members 210, and a plurality of connection members 220 (connection members 222 and connection members 224).

Each battery cell 10 has a laminate 100, a plurality of first tabs 112, a first lead terminal 114, a plurality of second tabs 122, a second lead terminal 124, and an exterior body 150.

The laminate 100 includes a plurality of first electrodes 110, a plurality of second electrodes 120, and a plurality of separators 130. The first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120 have different polarities. In one example, the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120 are a positive electrode and a negative electrode, respectively, and in another example, the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120 are a positive electrode and a negative electrode, respectively. The second electrode 120 may be a negative electrode and a positive electrode, respectively. The plurality of first electrodes 110 and the plurality of second electrodes 120 are alternately stacked, and the plurality of separators 130 separate adjacent first electrodes 110 and second electrodes 120 from each other.

The plurality of first tabs 112 protrude from the laminate 100 and are bundled by the first lead terminal 114. The plurality of first tabs 112 are connected to the plurality of first electrodes 110, respectively. Therefore, the plurality of first electrodes 110 can be electrically connected to the first lead terminals 114 via the plurality of first tabs 112, respectively.

The plurality of second tabs 122 protrude from the laminate 100 and are bundled by the second lead terminal 124. The plurality of second tabs 122 are connected to the plurality of second electrodes 120, respectively. Therefore, the plurality of second electrodes 120 can be electrically connected to the second lead terminal 124 via the plurality of second tabs 122, respectively.

The exterior body 150 accommodates the laminate 100. Exterior body 150 is made of, for example, an Al film.

The exterior body 150 has a first portion 150a and a second portion 150b. The first portion 150a sandwiches the stacked body 100. Therefore, the thickness of the exterior body 150 is thicker in the first portion 150a than in the portions other than the first portion 150a. The second portion 150b is located outside the first portion 150a and sandwiches a portion of the first tab 112 and a portion of the first lead terminal 114.

The first lead terminal 114 has one end that connects to the plurality of first tabs 112 inside the exterior body 150 and the other end that protrudes to the outside of the exterior body 150. Therefore, the first electrode 110 of the laminate 100 can be electrically connected to a member outside the exterior body 150 via the first lead terminal 114. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the one end of the first lead terminal 114 faces the stacked body 100.

The second lead terminal 124 has one end that connects to the plurality of second tabs 122 inside the exterior body 150 and the other end that protrudes to the outside of the exterior body 150. Therefore, the second electrode 120 of the laminate 100 can be electrically connected to a member outside the exterior body 150 via the second lead terminal 124. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the one end of the second lead terminal 124 faces the stacked body 100.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, each battery cell 10 has a width in a first direction (X direction in the figure) and a length in a second direction (Y direction in the figure) orthogonal to the first direction. However, it has a thickness in a third direction (Z direction in the figure) perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the length (Y direction) of each battery cell 10 is larger than the width (X direction) of each battery cell 10.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, both the first lead terminal 114 and the second lead terminal 124 are provided at one end of both ends in the length direction (Y direction) of each battery cell 10, and each No lead terminal is provided at the other end of both ends in the length direction (Y direction) of the battery cell 10.

The plurality of battery cells 10 are stacked in one direction (Z direction in the figure), the plurality of first lead terminals 114 are arranged in one direction (Z direction in the figure), and the plurality of second lead terminals 124 are arranged in one direction (Z direction in the figure). are arranged in one direction (Z direction in the figure).

The plurality of buffer members 210 separate adjacent first lead terminals 114 and adjacent second lead terminals 124. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each buffer member 210 is located between adjacent second portions 150b of the exterior body 150. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each buffer member 210 extends from a region sandwiched between adjacent first lead terminals 114 to a region sandwiched between adjacent second lead terminals 124.

The buffer member 210 is made of a material (for example, sponge or rubber) that can absorb the impact applied to the battery cell 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each buffer member 210 has a first surface 210a, a second surface 210b, and a third surface 210c. The first surface 210a faces one side in the above-mentioned one direction (Z direction in the figure). The second surface 210b is on the opposite side of the first surface 210a. The third surface 210c is located between the first surface 210a and the second surface 210b and faces the outside of the plurality of battery cells 10.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the first lead terminals 114 of adjacent battery cells 10 among the plurality of battery cells 10 are the first lead terminals of the battery cell 10 at the lowest end among the plurality of battery cells 10. 114 are bent along the common buffer member 210. Specifically, the first lead terminal 114 of one of the adjacent battery cells 10 (first battery cell) is connected to the first surface 210a and the third surface of the buffer member 210 (first buffer member). 210c, and the first lead terminal 114 of the other battery cell 10 (second battery cell) of the adjacent battery cells 10 is connected to the buffer member 210 (first buffer member). It includes a portion extending along the second surface 210b and the third surface 210c.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the second lead terminals 124 of the adjacent battery cells 10 among the plurality of battery cells 10 are the second lead terminals of the battery cell 10 located at the uppermost end of the plurality of battery cells 10. 124 are bent along the common buffer member 210. Specifically, the second lead terminal 124 of one of the adjacent battery cells 10 (first battery cell) is connected to the first surface 210a and the third surface of the buffer member 210 (first buffer member). 210c, and the second lead terminal 124 of the other battery cell 10 (second battery cell) of the adjacent battery cells 10 is connected to the second lead terminal 124 of the buffer member 210 (first buffer member). It includes a portion extending along the second surface 210b and the third surface 210c.

In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of buffer members 210 include buffer members 210 wound around adjacent first lead terminals 114 and buffer members 210 wound around adjacent second lead terminals 124. , buffer members 210 wound around adjacent first lead terminals 114 and buffer members 210 wound around adjacent second lead terminals 124 are arranged alternately along one direction (Z direction in the figure).

The connecting member 222 has a first surface 222a and a second surface 222b. The first surface 222a faces the plurality of buffer members 210, and in the example shown in FIG. The first lead terminal 114 of the first lead terminal 114 is covered. The second surface 222b is on the opposite side of the first surface 222a. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the first lead terminal 114 of the lowest battery cell 10 among the plurality of battery cells 10 includes a portion extending along the second surface 222b of the connecting member 222.

The connecting member 224 has a first surface 224a and a second surface 224b. The first surface 224a faces the plurality of buffer members 210, and in the example shown in FIG. The second lead terminal 124 of the second lead terminal 124 is covered. The second surface 224b is on the opposite side of the first surface 224a. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the second lead terminal 124 of the battery cell 10 at the uppermost end of the plurality of battery cells 10 includes a portion extending along the second surface 224b of the connecting member 222.

The connecting member 220 (connecting member 222 and connecting member 224) is, for example, a tape, and is made of a material having appropriate adhesive strength, appropriate tensile strength, and appropriate elongation. From the viewpoint of preventing the connecting member 220 from breaking due to impact, it is preferable that the tensile strength of the connecting member 220 is relatively high, for example, 100.0 N/10 mm or more.

The plurality of battery cells 10 have a first region 10a, a second region 10b, and a third region 10c. The first region 10a has a plurality of laminates 100 arranged in one direction (Z direction in the figure). The second region 10b includes a plurality of buffer members 210 arranged in one direction (Z direction in the figure). The third region 10c is between the first region 10a and the second region 10b. In the third region 10c, a gap 230 is defined between adjacent exterior bodies 150. The gap 230 functions as a space into which the buffer member 210 enters when the first lead terminal 114 or the second lead terminal 124 is bent, as will be described later with reference to FIG. Furthermore, the gap 230 also functions as a buffer area for alleviating external impact.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the battery module 12 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, a large impact is applied to the battery module 12 due to, for example, falling. Such a shock may be applied when the battery module 12 is mounted on a flying object, such as a drone.

In this embodiment, even if a large impact is applied to the battery module 12, it is possible to prevent the first lead terminals 114 from piercing into the internal members (for example, the laminate 100) of the battery cells 10. Specifically, in this embodiment, a plurality of buffer members 210 are connected to each other by a connecting member 220. Therefore, when an impact is applied to the battery module 12, the first lead terminal 114 is easily bent along the arrangement direction of the plurality of buffer members 210 (Z direction in the figure). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the first lead terminal 114 from piercing into the internal members of the battery cell 10.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the first lead terminal 114 is bent, the buffer member 210 can enter the gap 230. Therefore, damage to the first tab 112 caused by the buffer member 210, for example, damage to the first tab 112 caused by the pressure of the buffer member 210 can be suppressed.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the battery module 12 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the battery module 12 shown in FIG. 5, viewed from the opposite side to that in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. The battery module 12 according to this embodiment is the same as the battery module 12 according to the first embodiment except for the following points.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the first lead terminal 114 is provided at one end of both ends in the length direction (Y direction) of each battery cell 10, and the second lead terminal 124 is provided at each battery cell 10. It is provided on the other end side of both ends in the length direction (Y direction) of 10.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, as in the example shown in FIG. buffer members 210 (a plurality of buffer members 212) are connected to each other. Therefore, even if an impact is applied to the battery module 12, it is possible to prevent the first lead terminals 114 from piercing into the internal members of the battery cells 10.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, as in the example shown in FIG. The buffer members 210 (a plurality of buffer members 214) are connected to each other. Therefore, even if a shock is applied to the battery module 12, it is possible to prevent the second lead terminal 124 from piercing into the internal members of the battery cell 10.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the battery module 12 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the spacer member 300 used in the battery module 12 shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line PP in FIG. FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line QQ in FIG. The battery module 12 according to this embodiment is the same as the battery module 12 according to the first embodiment except for the following points.

The battery module 12 includes a spacer member 300. The spacer member 300 separates the battery cells 10 of the first group G1 and the battery cells 10 of the second group G2 of the plurality of battery cells 10 from each other. The spacer member 300 has a protrusion 320. The protruding portion 320 protrudes further to the outside of the plurality of battery cells 10 than any of the lead terminals (the first lead terminal 114 and the second lead terminal 124) of the plurality of battery cells 10 .

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to suppress the first lead terminal 114 and the second lead terminal 124 from piercing into the internal members of the battery cell 10. Specifically, in the above-described configuration, the protrusion 320 protrudes further to the outside of the plurality of battery cells 10 than any of the lead terminals (the first lead terminal 114 and the second lead terminal 124) of the plurality of battery cells 10. ing. Therefore, even if a large impact is applied to the battery module 12, the protrusion 320 can receive most of the force due to the impact instead of the first lead terminal 114 and the second lead terminal 124. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the first lead terminal 114 and the second lead terminal 124 from piercing into the internal members of the battery cell 10.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the spacer member 300 includes a base material 310, a protrusion 320, a first guide part 322, and a second guide part 324. The protruding part 320, the first guide part 322, and the second guide part 324 protrude from the spacer member 300 toward the same side, and the protruding part 320 is located between the first guide part 322 and the second guide part 324. . The protruding part 320 and the first guide part 322 can position the connecting member 222, and the protruding part 320 and the second guide part 324 can position the connecting member 224.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the battery module 12 includes a plurality of buffer members 210, a coupling member 222, and a coupling member 224, but in other examples, the battery module 12 includes a plurality of buffer members 210, The connecting member 222 and the connecting member 224 may not be provided. Also in this example, the protruding portion 320 of the spacer member 300 can prevent the first lead terminal 114 and the second lead terminal 124 from piercing into the internal members of the battery cell 10.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a battery pack 20 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a transparent view of the case 400 shown in FIG. 13.

Battery pack 20 includes battery module 12 and case 400. The battery module 12 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery module 12 according to the first embodiment. Battery module 12 is housed within case 400. Case 400 may have terminals (not shown) for electrically connecting first lead terminal 114 and second lead terminal 124 of battery module 12 to the outside of battery pack 20.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, case 400 includes a first case member 410 and a second case member 420. The first case member 410 and the second case member 420 are attachable to each other and detachable from each other. When housing the battery module 12 in the case 400, in one example, the second case member 420 may be removed from the first case member 410.

Also in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the first lead terminal 114 and the second lead terminal 124 from piercing into the internal members of the battery cell 10. Particularly in this embodiment, when the battery pack 20 falls, the battery module 12 may collide with the inner surface of the case 400 and receive a shock from the inner surface of the case 400 . Even if the battery module 12 receives such an impact, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the first lead terminal 114 and the second lead terminal 124 from piercing into the internal members of the battery cell 10.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above may also be adopted.
Below, examples of reference forms will be added.
1. A plurality of battery cells each having a plurality of first lead terminals and stacked so that the first lead terminals are lined up in one direction;
a plurality of buffer members arranged in the one direction and separating adjacent first lead terminals;
a connecting member that extends across the plurality of buffer members along the one direction and connects the plurality of buffer members to each other;
A battery module comprising:
2. 1. In the battery module described in
The plurality of battery cells include a first battery cell and a second battery cell adjacent to the first battery cell,
The plurality of buffer members include a first buffer member that separates the first lead terminal of the first battery cell and the first lead terminal of the second battery cell,
The first buffer member has a first surface facing one side in the one direction, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of surfaces between the first surface and the second surface. a third surface facing the outside of the battery cell;
The first lead terminal of the first battery cell includes a portion extending along the first surface and the third surface of the first buffer member,
The first lead terminal of the second battery cell includes a portion extending along the second surface and the third surface of the first buffer member.
3. 1. Or 2. In the battery module described in
The plurality of battery cells each have a plurality of laminates each including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator, and a plurality of exterior bodies each housing the plurality of laminates,
The plurality of battery cells includes a first region having the plurality of laminates arranged in the one direction, a second region having the plurality of buffer members arranged in the one direction, the first region and the second region. a third region between;
In the third region, a battery module in which a gap is defined between adjacent exterior bodies.
4. 1. In the battery module according to any one of 3 to 3,
Further comprising a spacer member that separates a first group of battery cells and a second group of battery cells among the plurality of battery cells,
The spacer member is a battery module having a portion that protrudes further to the outside of the plurality of battery cells than any first lead terminal of the plurality of battery cells.
5. A plurality of battery cells each having a first lead terminal and stacked so that each first lead terminal is lined up in one direction;
a spacer member that separates a first group of battery cells and a second group of battery cells among the plurality of battery cells;
Equipped with
The spacer member is a battery module having a portion that protrudes further to the outside of the plurality of battery cells than any first lead terminal of the plurality of battery cells.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-013630 filed on January 30, 2018, and the entire disclosure thereof is incorporated herein.

Claims (6)

A plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction, wherein both lead terminals with different polarities are provided on one side of both ends in the length direction of each battery cell;
a buffer member located between the lead terminals adjacent in the one direction;
a connecting member that connects the plurality of buffer members arranged in one direction to each other;
Equipped with
At least a portion of one of the lead terminals adjacent in one direction and at least a portion of the other lead terminal adjacent in one direction overlap on a surface of the buffer member facing outside of the plurality of battery cells. Ori,
The connecting member faces the outside of the plurality of battery cells of the at least one portion of the one of the lead terminals adjacent in the one direction and the at least one portion of the other lead terminal adjacent in the one direction. Battery module covering the surface . The plurality of battery cells each have a plurality of laminates each including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator, and a plurality of exterior bodies each housing the plurality of laminates,
The plurality of battery cells includes a first region having the plurality of laminates arranged in the one direction, a second region having the plurality of buffer members arranged in the one direction, the first region and the second region. a third region between;
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein in the third region, a gap is defined between adjacent exterior bodies. Further comprising a spacer member that separates at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells from at least one other battery cell of the plurality of battery cells,
The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spacer member has a portion that protrudes further to the outside of the plurality of battery cells than any lead terminal of the plurality of battery cells. A plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction, wherein one and the other of lead terminals with different polarities are respectively provided at one and the other side of both ends in the length direction of each battery cell. and,
a buffer member located between the lead terminals adjacent in the one direction;
a connecting member that connects the plurality of buffer members arranged in one direction to each other;
Equipped with
At least a portion of one of the lead terminals adjacent in one direction and at least a portion of the other lead terminal adjacent in one direction overlap on a surface of the buffer member facing outside of the plurality of battery cells. Ori,
The connecting member faces the outside of the plurality of battery cells of the at least one portion of the one of the lead terminals adjacent in the one direction and the at least one portion of the other lead terminal adjacent in the one direction. Battery module covering the surface . The plurality of battery cells each have a plurality of laminates each including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator, and a plurality of exterior bodies each housing the plurality of laminates,
The plurality of battery cells includes a first region having the plurality of laminates arranged in the one direction, a second region having the plurality of buffer members arranged in the one direction, the first region and the second region. a third region between;
The battery module according to claim 4, wherein in the third region, a gap is defined between adjacent exterior bodies. Further comprising a spacer member that separates at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells from at least one other battery cell of the plurality of battery cells,
The battery module according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the spacer member has a portion that protrudes further to the outside of the plurality of battery cells than any lead terminal of the plurality of battery cells.

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